Parents and Families

Taking the Stress Out of Move-in

Here are our top tips for making your student's move-in as smooth as possible, both on-campus and off.

On Campus

1. Stick to your time slot

In the first week of August, Housing residents will be invited by email to select a specific date and time window for moving in on Thursday, September 1 and Friday, September 2. It’s not too late to have your student sign up for a time slot. Time slot selection runs through Thursday August 18.

Keeping to your timeslot helps us make sure we’ve got enough spaces for your car, as well as enough volunteers to help you when you arrive. It also helps to keep the lines a little shorter than they would be otherwise.

Many students are in programs, such as a Michigan Learning Community, ROTC or Marching Band, that require them to be on campus earlier -- check with that program for details. Students in Michigan Learning Communities will be moving in Wednesday, August 31.

2. Use your unloading permit

Don't forget to download your unloading permit. Print it and stick in the windshield of your car. It notifies our officers that you’re ready to be directed to an unloading space. If you’ve selected a timeslot, then the time will be right there on your permit. You can also download and print campus move-in maps, with the best routes marked.

3. Keep that car moving

As far as vehicles go, think of move-in as three stops:

Pull up to your building for unloading. Budget only about 30 minutes for this, as all you really need to do is get things out of your car.

We'll direct you to temporary parking, usually a couple of blocks away, where your car can hang out for about two hours, while you head back to the room for proper unpacking and decorating.

Once the unpacking is done, you will want to move your car again into a more permanent parking — there are lots of options all around the city, and it might sense to hop on a bus back to campus or downtown for dinner.

In most cases, it is the tenant's responsibility to contact utility companies to set up services prior to moving in. The lease may indicate which companies to contact, or encourage your student to ask the landlord directly.

2. An inventory checklist is your friend

Tenants are advised to complete an Inventory Checklist with roommates and to provide a copy to the landlord within 7 days of moving in. Students should walk through each room and make note of the condition of each space, appliance, and fixture, both indoors and outdoors. Doing so can protect tenants from unexpected charges when moving out.

3. Insure it!

Adding renter's insurance to an existing insurance policy is another proactive step students can take to protect themselves. Renter’s insurance has the same purpose as homeowner’s insurance: to reimburse one for losses if personal property is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Once last bit of wisdom: we know you can do this! In fact, with ten thousand undergrads living on campus, that means in the last five years alone we've seen fifty thousand move-ins. So we're sure that when it comes around to your turn, you'll do great.